Fastener identification marking

Abstract

A fastener for being inserted a first depth d 1 through a first object and a second depth d 2 into or through a second object, is provided. The fastener includes, but is not limited to, a head having an outer surface opposed to an inner surface, a shank connected with the inner surface of the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, and an identification marking formed on the outer surface. The outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object. The shank has an actual length L a from the first end to the second end, and wherein the actual length L a is equal to or greater than the sum of the first depth d 1 and the second depth d 2 . The identification marking indicates an embedment depth d e of the fastener.

1 . A fastener for being inserted a first depth d 1  through a first object and a second depth d 2  into or through a second object, comprising:
 a head having an outer surface opposed to an inner surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;   a shank connected with the inner surface of the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length L a  from the first end to the second end, and wherein the actual length L a  is equal to or greater than the sum of the first depth d 1  and the second depth d 2 ; and   an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth d e  of the fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth d e  which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length L a  minus the first depth d 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the identification marking is stamped into the outer surface. 
     
     
         6 . A fastener comprising:
 a head having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;   a shank connected with the head at a first end and forming a tip at a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length L a  from the first end to the second end; and   an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the identification marking indicates a representative length L r  of the fastener.   
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the representative length L r  of the fastener is an embedment depth d e  of the fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener is for being inserted a first depth d 1  through a first object and a second depth d 2  into or through a second object, and wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth d e  which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length L a  minus the first depth d 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the representative length L r  of the fastener is within ±20% the actual length L a  of the shank. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the identification marking is stamped into the outer surface. 
     
     
         13 . A fastener comprising:
 a head having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface remains exposed upon the fastener being inserted into an object;   a shank connected with the head at a first end and extending to a second end opposed to the first end, wherein the shank has an actual length L a  from the first end to the second end and a width W; and   an identification marking formed on the outer surface, wherein the identification marking indicates a physical property of the fastener.   
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the physical property is either a representative length L r  of the fastener, the actual length L a  of the shank, the width W of the shank, a material which the fastener is comprised of, a major diameter D maj  of the shank, a minor diameter D min  of the shank, a distance d t  between threads on the shank, a hardness of the fastener, a manufacturing date of the fastener, a factory in which the fastener was manufactured, and a unique identifier which identifies the fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the identification marking indicates a representative length L r  of the fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the representative length L r  of the fastener is an embedment depth d e  of the fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 16 , wherein the fastener is for being inserted a first depth d 1  through a first object and a second depth d 2  into or through a second object, and wherein the identification marking indicates an embedment depth d e  which is approximately equal to, within ±10%, the actual length L a  minus the first depth d 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The fastener of  claim 15 , wherein the representative length L r  of the fastener is within ±20% the actual length L a  of the shank. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a power driven fastener for installation with a power tool. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is one of a screw or a nail.